Ez up 12x12 canopy

Q

quamen

New member
Ive been doing alot of detailing lately, www.richsmad.com in the sun. I have been just heat exhausted and couldnt find much shade, plus it doesnt help that my vip weekly has 4 black cars! So after researching and talking to some people on this site, I went out to find a ez up canopy. I found one at all places Kmart for 85 bucks, which wanst a bad price.



I first used it last week on a detailing a jeep, and I cant rave about this tent enough. I took it out of the box, and within mintues it was up and ready to roll. I was able to put it up by myself and it weighs like 40 pounds which isnt bad at all. It was hot out and really humid and I was glad to have this. I actually cut my deatiling time by at least 2 hours, cause I noticed now that I have the tent im much quicker. The sun is putting such a drain on me, I felt that I was startiing to move slower and slower. I now feel like scottwax when I get to the waxing stage,cause I can move that quick.



Problems with the tent. It is really not high enough, so im coming up with an idea to raise it like 1 more foot, since the legs area already extrened and the height wint fit truck like avalanches, suburbans etc. But it will fit cars, small truck like rangers,s10, midsize suvs and vans. The stake system that use isnt that great, so if it gets windy the thing will move around and not work well at all, but i mean it is meant to be portable so I can expect that.



My finals thoughts was, how did i detail this long without one. it is cheap, saves me time, saves me from getting burnt, protects in case of a thunderstorm or passing shower, fits in my small s10 bed easily with it only be about 5 feet in height or less. A great product, very easy to use and cannot be without one from now on
 
Sh!t I have the same one 12x12 or was it 10x10, but anyways. I need atleast 3 ppls to help me out. 4 ppls is the eziest.
 
I use the exact same 12x12 canopy and I can open it up in about 90 seconds by myself. I have no problem fitting full size SUV's under it. You can extend the 4 posts to raise it higher. I used it the other day for a Z71 Tahoe.



I have attached tennis balls to the feet by cutting a slit in the ball. This way it is easier to drag along a driveway and put less stress on the posts.



It isn't heavy duty, so some care needs to be observed when moving it around. It doesn't cover the whole car but 75% of it. The only car I was able to fit under it was a BMW Z8.



Overall, in direct sun, it's a life saver.
 
I have the 10x10...only used it once so far, and I had help putting it up/down (thanks, Beercan31!), but I can't see doing it by myself (the instructions even tell you to have a helper). Any tips from you guys on the one-man erection? (Easy there, GA!)
 
Would you mind posting a pic of it and/or the box? What is it marketed as/what section is it in at kmart?
 
Terran, here it is:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...ept=4125&path=0:4125:4128:55558&xsell=2496647



Well I stand in front of it with about 2 feet of space between me and the canopy. I grab it underhand where it says "Open" like you are lifting weights.



I then quickly pull it towards me and then quickly push hard upwards almost at the same time. This helps to force the two legs farther away from me to open up as well. Hold that position and repeat it. It will open a little further.



Then while holding it up take a step to the left or the right to one of the posts. Get under it with your shoulder and push it up. This will help to open it further until it locks. You'll need some muscle (the hulking Goliath you are Setec). Then move over to the next post and do the same.



Now two posts are secure. Skip over to the other side. Do it again on the other side. Bam! You're done.



It sounds bizarre, but I can do it lickity split. It took like 20 minutes the first day I got it (in the pouring rain - I couldn't wait to try it). It ain't rocket science.



Works great in the rain too - water resistant. It beads and rolls off. Dries in 2 seconds.
 
Unfortunately I bought mine 2 weeks before the K-mart sale. :(



Here's a link http://www.ezup4u.com/ezup/tvr_sierra.htm



After finally getting around to trying this out last weekend, I do not recommend getting the EZup "Sierra" version 12x12. The quality of the folding mechanisms used in this model is not good. I have since returned this and am looking for another.
 
quamen wrote:

The stake system that use isnt that great, so if it gets windy the thing will move around and not work well at all, but i mean it is meant to be portable so I can expect that.
Click to expand...



I take an smaller 8X8 EZ-Up canopy to car shows. I was always concerned about it blowing over and hitting someones car. So, I went to Home Depot and got a 10 foot piece of 4 inche PVC white drain pipe and 8 caps. I cut the pipe into 12 inch lengths and attached one cap on the bottom. I then filled each of the four "tubes" with quick setting concrete. After it set, I put a cap on the top. On the sides I attached some velco. When I set up the canopy, I put the "tubes" by each leg and use the velcro to secure them to the legs. The canopy does not move at all. The cost is very inexpensive for parts and I can carry the four "tubes" in plastic bin type container.
 
:welcome to Autopia Elky!



That's a nice tip. I have seen similar style products sold using weights in a bag that attach to the posts.



I have been lucky with the wind (fingers crossed). I was looking at those ankle weights you can wear when exercising. They can be a nice, cheaper, ready-made solution to the wind issue.
 
Spilchy said:
I have attached tennis balls to the feet by cutting a slit in the ball. This way it is easier to drag along a driveway and put less stress on the posts.
Click to expand...





a73elkyss said:
I went to Home Depot and got a 10 foot piece of 4 inche PVC white drain pipe and 8 caps. I cut the pipe into 12 inch lengths and attached one cap on the bottom. I then filled each of the four "tubes" with quick setting concrete. After it set, I put a cap on the top. On the sides I attached some velco. When I set up the canopy, I put the "tubes" by each leg and use the velcro to secure them to the legs. The canopy does not move at all. The cost is very inexpensive for parts and I can carry the four "tubes" in plastic bin type container.
Click to expand...



Two of the best ideas that I have heard in a while. Thanks for the tips you guys. :2thumbs:
 
Thanks for the welcome Seth. I've been "trolling" this site for a bit. Very addicting and I've learned a ton of new procedures. Major props to the creator, admins, and members.



Thought tonight I could give something back, so to say.



Forgot to add. Each "tube" weighs about 15lbs. So, I kinda went a little overboard with close to 60lbs. If I'm on grass, I also stake it down. I like the tennis ball idea for setting it up on the hard top.
 
I bought a "undershade" brand canopy 10X10 not to long ago. This one has straight legs so I get 100sq ft of shade. Best thing i've ever bought cause nothing is hotter than detailing in San Antonio.
 
I recently purchased a 12 x 14 E-Z Up Instant Shelter from ****'s Sporting Goods for under $150.00. The instructions recommend using two people to open and close it but I was able to open and close it on my own. Best money I've spent in quite awhile. I set it up in front of my garage door to help keep the garage cool while I'm working.
 
I've been using a 12 x 12 ez-up as well. Most of my work is done at offices, so I was having a problem with the far legs of the tent being pulled along as I was trying to put it up(by myself) on the blacktop. I got it at ****'s Sporting goods, so I went back and they had bags with twin "barrels" if you will that you fill up with sand then velcro to the poles. Each set of bags holds about 25 lbs of sand, so I have 100 lbs. of wind protection now. It's probably just overkill, but I don't even want to imagine the damage it could do on these high end cars, suvs, it the wind would blow the canopy over!!!! So far everything has worked great. However, I always take the tent down it the winds pick up to more than about 15 mph. just to be safe.



Matt Williams

Silver Lining Detail

www.silverliningdetail.com
 
I have a 10X10 EZ-UP brand and two 12X12 QuickShade brand canopies. I like the QuickShade better, IMO.



In south Florida sun, these can be a real lifesaver. If you're detailing for profit, these are one of the best investments you can make. There are the ovbious reasons, but also, it DOES look professional.



Guamen,



Be very careful about using these in the rain. Couple of years ago, I had one collect enough water that is twisted and collapsed, thereby rendering the frame useless.



Also, without the stakes or ankleweights, they are prone to lifting and moving around in a good breeze, possibly scratching your customer's car. (knock on wood, this hasn't happened.)



Regards,



Mike
 
im able to put it up all bymyself in less than 2 mintues, and it is very lightweight. ill get pics of it as well.
 
stainbuster you are right about htem moving around, that is home come today home depot came in play. I purchased 4 1 1/2 gallon pails 9 inches in height. 1 long threaded rod. Im going to put cement in the bucket and put the rod in through the center. once i put the canopy up, put the hold through the rod and bolt it down it wont move then! it will add about another 10 mintues to tthe process,but well worth it when your trying to detail a black car in90 degree weather!
 
stainbuster said:
I have a 10X10 EZ-UP brand and two 12X12 QuickShade brand canopies. I like the QuickShade better, IMO.







Mike
Click to expand...





Where did you pick up the QuickShades ?
 
a73elkyss said:
quamen wrote:





I take an smaller 8X8 EZ-Up canopy to car shows. I was always concerned about it blowing over and hitting someones car. So, I went to Home Depot and got a 10 foot piece of 4 inche PVC white drain pipe and 8 caps. I cut the pipe into 12 inch lengths and attached one cap on the bottom. I then filled each of the four "tubes" with quick setting concrete. After it set, I put a cap on the top. On the sides I attached some velco. When I set up the canopy, I put the "tubes" by each leg and use the velcro to secure them to the legs. The canopy does not move at all. The cost is very inexpensive for parts and I can carry the four "tubes" in plastic bin type container.
Click to expand...



Why reinvent the wheel? For concrete and other hard surfaces I use the EZ-UP weight bags. They have hooks that attach to the legs and all you need do is add sand or gravel. THey work great and I've never had one blow over or move. ANd, by the way, the stakes have always worked well on grass and dirt, just nail them in on an angle, they won't move.



Here is my 10x10 (which sets up in 60 seconds) showing the weight bags at a car show:

IMG_2477.JPG
 
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